Oil burner



' E- C. BRIGGS Jan. 17, 1967 OIL BURNER Filed. April 8, 1964 INVENTOR.(/6/V c. aexss:

l V n t o Mk +.l| o u a o a p a o o o a a s e o o o O o c 0 q Nb a o a o0 Q o I o n o a o B O a O O G O 6 6 O 0 Q o o o o o o o a o o o q Q a vo B o 0 o a 0 o a a 0 o o o u a O 1 Jgn. 17, 1967 E. c. BRIGGS 3,298,418

OIL BURNER Filed April 8. 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. E06IV C.Hie/66$ E. C- BRIGGS OIL BURNER Filed April 8, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5J5h.17,1967 E. c. BRIGGS 3,298,418

011, BURNER Filed April 8, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 [II I INVENTOR. 5065A!c. 192/665 BY 6m) 3,298,418 OIL BURNER I Eugene C. Briggs, Dayton, Ohio,assignor to Master Consolidated Inc., Dayton, Ohio, a corporation ofOhio Filed Apr. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 358,356 I 14 Claims. (Cl. 158--76)This invention relates to an oil burner unit featuring a more completefuel combustion, greater safety and versatility in use and economy inoperation.

United States Patent O A primaryobject of the invention is to provide anoil .1.

burner unit which is economical to fabricate, more efiicient andsatisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications andunlikely to malfunction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a small, compact, yethighly efficient oil burner unit.

3,298,418 Patented Jan. 17, 1967 p we FIG. 10 represents the deliveryend of the modification of FIG. 9.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of referencethroughoutthe several views.

As seen in the drawings the shell 10 provides a boxlike enclosure for asaddle 11 fixed centrally of its base 12. Nesting in the saddle 11 isthe housing 13 of a motor 14. The motor 14, which orients in a senselongitudinally of theshell 10, mounts to one end thereof a closure plateandto its other end a closure plate 16. The housing 13 encompasses astator surrounding arotor (not shown); .The rotor incorporates the motordrive shaft 17, one end of "which projects through a bearing in theplate15 anclthe other end of which projects through a bearing in the "plate16. Fixed to one end of the shaft 17, spaced outwardlylof the plate 15is a blade unit A further object of the invention is 'to provide an oiloil burner unit including controls which effectively inhibit inadvertentafterflow and noxiousfumes.

A- further object ofthe invention is to provide an oil burner unit whichutilizes a constant level diaphragm regulated flow control for its fuelsupply.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved oil burnerunit which can-be used in application to a water heater or the likewithout the. additionof a conventionally insulated combustion chamber.

Another object of the invention: is toprovide an oil burner unit inwhichthe first visual indication of com bustion is displaced from theignition area;

6 An additional object of the invention is to provide an oil burner unitwherein preheated air is utilized to vaporize the delivered fuel wherebyto afford a more complete combustion process.

Another object of the invention is to provide an oil burner unit whichprovides a safe quiet flame.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an oil burner unitpossessing the advantageous features, the inherent meritoriouscharacteristics and the means and mode of operation herein mentioned. V1

With the above and other incidental objects. in view as will more fullyappear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected byLetters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts andcombinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter describedor illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown one but obviouslynot necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention, v

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an oil burner unit in accordance withthe invention, shown partly in section;

FIG. 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the burner unitwhich illustrates its compressor features;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the compressor section illustrated in FIG. 3.;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the burner head;

FIG. 6 is a view of the delivery end of the burner head, including aschematic illustration of the regulator system which controls thedelivery of fuel to said head;

FIG; 7 illustrates a modification of the unitas shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a further modification;

FIG. 9 illustrates a modification offering a preferred embodiment of theinvention; and

18. As will be further described, on drive of the rotor 17; the unit 18serves as a fan to draw air interiorly of the. shell 10 through a seriesof circularly spaced openings 19 defined in its-adjacent end panel120.

The opposite end of shaft 17 terminates outwardly of and adjacent tothe,plate 16 and fixedly mounts a compres'sor rotor '21: .Fixed to the plate16 to position about and in eccentric relation to the rotor 21 is aring-shaped enclosure 22. .-Fixed over and coextensive with the outervmostf aceof the ring 22 is a. closure plate 23. The plates 16 and 23-,together with the ring 22, form a compressor housing. Included in thering 22 is an. aperture which provides an inlet for passageof air to theinterior of the compressorhousing; under the influence of a spinningrotor 21: Fixed on the exterior of the ring 22 to bridge thisinlet'apertureis a filter unit 24 which may be observed with reference'to FIG. 2 of the drawings.

l The rotor 21 has a disc shape. Its periphery has four radial slots 25,spaced 90 apart, each slot accommodating a relatively; freesliding vane26. As the motor 14 is suitably: energized,- shaft 17 will spin thecompressor rotor 21'. As this occurs, the vanes 26 move outwardly of therotor, in any one instant, to the extent permitted by the spacing of theinterior surface of the eccentrically positioned ring enclosure 22.

A discharge, opening included in the closure plate 23 has one end incommunication with the space between the compressor rotor 21 and thering 22. The other end of this opening communicates with a deliverypassage 27 in a burner head 28; The head 28 is so connected to the plate23 to form an axial extension of the motor 14 and its integrallyconnected compressor housing.

It will be readily. apparent that on drive of the compressor rotor 21,as the vanes 26 successively pass the air. inlet opening, they willinduce air to move interiorly of the compressor housingto enter thelimited space betweentherotor and ring 22. This air is driven byimmediately following vanes 26 to first expand, then be compressed andforced to exit under pressure through the opening in the plate 23 toenter the delivery passage 27. The passage 27 communicates, in turn,with a recess 29 formed in the top of the burner head 28. The recess 29nests a tubular filter 30 the exterior of which includes radiallyprojected fins forming spaced air passages adjacent the recess wall. Theair which flows under pressure from the passage 27 enters tangentiallyto the wall of recess 29 to swirl about and move radially inward of thefilter 30. and exit to the cylindrical passage 31 which is defined byits inner wall. The base of the recess 29 is centrally recessed toaccommodate a disc shaped filter 32 which overlies an openingconstituting one end of a 5 ing a vertical through passage 37 inner endof which communicates with the recess. Adjacent its inner end, thepassage 37 is conically reduced to form a valve seat for a ball typepressure regulator 38. A tubular plug 39 threadedly engaged to the valvehousing in the outer end of passage 37 contains a spring 40 undercompression. The spring biases the regulator 38 to normally seal thepassage 37 in reference to the recess 29. The valve housing includes, atits outer surface, adjacent the passage 37, a recess 41 the base ofwhich has an aperture 42 communicating with the filter passage 31. Aplug element 43 normally seals the outer end of the recess 41.

The burner head operating face 35 includes a central recess 44projecting from the base of which, at its center, is a short generallyconical projection 45. The projection 45 defines the outermost end ofthe nozzle recess 34. The recess 34 forms a passage which issuccessively reduced in cross-sectional dimension at spaced intervalsfrom its outer end to its innermost end, the latter of which intersectsand communicates with a fuel supply passage 46, at right angles thereto.Connected in the outermost end of the passage 46, at the bottom of theburner head, is a fitting 47 which serves to interconnect a fuel supplyline 48. The supply line 48 is in communication with a suitable sourceof fuel.

Interposed in the line 48 is a pair of series related, diaphragmcontrolled flow regulators 49, shown schematically in FIG. 6 of thedrawings. As shown, each of the regulators 49 consists of a housing 50intermediately bridged by a diaphragm 51 which forms, to one sidethereof, a chamber 52 from which there is a vent opening 53 incommunication with the atmosphere. To the other side of the diaphragm 51is a second chamber 54. Chamber 54 has an inlet opening 55 and adischarge opening 56. Positioned intermediate the inlet and dischargeopenings is a pivoted valve arm 57 normally biased by a spring 58 tohave its head 59 seal the inlet opening 55. A control pin 51' fixed tothe diaphragm 51 projects inwardly of the chamber 54 to abut the biasedend portion of the valve arm 57 for purposes to be further described.The flow regulators 49 are interconnected by a conduit section 60 whichextends between the discharge opening 56 of one regulator and the inletopening 55 of the other. As may be seen, each of the openings 55 arenormally sealed by the head 59 of the respectively associated valve arm57. The flow regulating system so provided preeludes the passage of fuelto the burner head except under the influence of a positive demand, aswill be further described.

Threadedly engaged in the outermost end of nozzle recess 34 is a lowpressure aspira-ting nozzle 61 the expanded head of which abuts theouter end of projection 45 to limit the advance of the nozzle interiorlyof the recess 34. The nozzle 61 has a conventional central fuel passageand small bore aspirating passages which mutually intersect the fuelpassage adjacent the outer extremity of the nozzle. Within the recess 34the body of nozzle 61 is successively reduced in cross-section toprovide a swirl passage thereabout in the area of the recess whichcommunicates with the flow passage 33. The entrance ends of theaspira'ting passages open to this swirl passage. Inwardly of the flowpassage 33, in immediate advance of the fuel passage 46, the recess 34is bridged by a tubular seal 62. The seal 62 surrounds the reduced innerextremity of the nozzle which opens to the fuel passage.

Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawings, recess 44 is rimmed by a generallycylindrical wall structure. Formed integral with and projected from theinner surface of this wall structure are arcuately curved fingers 63.The fin gers 63 curve in a common direction so as to define, within therecess 44, a series of circularly spaced pockets 64 which open about thehead of the nozzle 61. The recess wall structure includes, adjacent eachof the pockets 64, a relatively angled slot 65 which orients in a senseto open tangential to the inner surface of the adjacent finger 63.

An igniter element 66 is so incorporated in the wall of the burner head28 to have its electrodes project from the operating face 35 andposition immediately adjacent the outermost end of the nozzle 61.

The end panel of the shell 10 remote from its end panel 20 is centrallyapertured to accommodate the projection therethrough of the peripherallyslotted portion of the burner head. Spaced cir-cumferentially of thisprojected portion of the burner head 28 are radially projected studs 67.The studs 67 respectively engage in bayonet type slots in thecylindrical formed skirt portion of a cap 68. The cap 68 has its skirtportion positioned concentrically of and in spaced relation to theprojected portion of the burner head. At the inner extremity of itsskirt portion the cap 68 has a radial flange 70 which serves to abut theadjacent end panel and be suitably fixed thereto about its centralaperture. The cap 68 also includes a centrally apertured bridging plateportion 69 which overlies the outer peripheral portion of the operatingface 35 including the outer portions of the pockets 64. The portion ofplate 69 which defines its central aperture is conically flared in asense outwardly of the operating face 35 and concentric to the nozzle61. Included in the outer peripheral portion of the plate 69, in a senseoutwardly of the burner head 28, are a series of apertures 71, thepurpose of which shall be further described.

' Fixed to form an axial extension of the conically flared portion ofthe cap 68 is a tubular combustor tube 72. The tube 72 has perforationsspaced both circumferentia-lly and throughoutits longitudinal extent.

A deflector tube 73 extends in coextensive and concentric spacedrelation to the combustor tube 72. The tube 73 ,is fixed to the plateportion 69 through the medium of a peripheral flange at one end thereof,which flange includes apertures in direct alignment with the apertures71. The deflector tube is unperforated.

Connected at one end immediately about and in fixed relation to theskirt portion of the cap 68 is a housing tube 74. The tube 74 extends inconcentric spaced relation to the tube 73 and projects there-beyond, asmay be seen from FIG. '1 of the drawings.

The outer end of the tube 74 is capped by a flamespreader 75. The flamespreader 75 includes a skirt portion which overlies and rims the outerend of the tube 74 and a conically dished central portion 76 whichbridges the space between the outer end of the tubes 72 and 74,displaced thereby from the outer end of tube 73. The spreader 75 has acentral aperture defined at the inner limits of the portion 76 by atubular projection 77 which nests interiorly of the outer end ofcombustor tube. Noting the drawings, it may be seen that the flamespreader 75 is provided throughout its extent with a series of uniformlyspaced apertures.

Reference is made to FIG. 1 of the drawings where it may be seen that avalve plate 78 is rotatably fixed on the inner side of the shell panel20. The plate '78 includes circularly spaced apertures 79 which may beselectively aligned in total or in part with the apertures 19 in the endpanel 20.

The embodiment of the invention above decribed functions in thefollowing manner. On energizing the motor 14 both the blade unit 18 andthe compressor rotor 21 are caused to spin. The blade unit is so formedto draw air interiorly of the shell 10 through the apertures in the endpanel 19 to the extent selectively permitted by an appropriate settingof the valve plate 78. This air is induced to provide a cooling flowabout the motor 14, the compressor housing, and the burner head. At theburner head, adjacent the plate portion 69 of the cap 68, a portion ofthis air flows through the tangential slots 65 to swirl in the pockets64 and exit about the head of the nozzle 61 in a turbulent swirlingflow.

At the same time, the rotor 21, by means of its vanes 26 draws airthrough the filter 24 to the interior of the compressor housing. The airis compressed and dis,

charged to flow under pressure through the opening in the plate 23 tothe head passage 27. From the passage 27 the air enters the recess 29,tangential to its inner wall, induced thereby to swirl about the filter30 and move radially inward thereof to the interior passage 31, arrivingthere .in a purified condition. The air is forced from passage 31 tomove under pressure through the second filter 32 and the flow passage 33to the nozzle recess 34. As the air is caused to enter the nozzle recess34, it is directed tangentially of its inner wall to swirl about theintermediate portion of the nozzle, which por tion includes theentrances to the nozzle aspirating passages. Moving through therelatively reduced aspirating passages, the air reaches a high velocityas it exits to the discharge end of the nozzle fuel passage and flowsfrom the nozzle head. This high velocity air produces a suction in thepassage 46 and line 48. This suction encounters the flow regulators 49and successively operates on each regulator to cause its diaphragm tomove inwardly of its chamber 54 and, through the medium of control pin51, induce a movement of the associated valve arm 57. The arm 57 is sopivoted as to displace the head 59 from the inlet opening 55. It is tobe understood, of course, that the regulators operate in direct sequenceand when both of the inlet openings 55 are cleared, the suction isapplied to a source of fuel supply to draw the fuel through theregulators, thefuel line 48, the passage 46 and the fuel passage in thenozzle 61. At the discharge end of the nozzle fuel passage, the fuel iscaught up in the high velocity air which flows from theaspiratingpassages to be partially atomized thereby and entrained formovement therewith from the head of the nozzle. The fuel-air mixtureissues as a fine spray which is caught up in a swirling flow of airwhich exits from the pockets 64 about the head of the nozzle. Theswirling air from the pockets induces a further atomization of the fueland the resulting highly atomized fuel mixture is induced, in theprocess, to flow outwardly from the operating face 35, through theflared portion of the cap 68 which defines the entrance to the combustortube 72.

While a port-ion of the air flow from the fan 18 enters the slots 65 inthe burner head, the majority of this air encounters the plate portion69 of the cap 68 about the slotted portion of the burner head and exitsthrough the apertures 71 at a high velocity. The air which exits throughthe apertures 71 flows outwardly of the head 28 between the tube 73 andthe housing tube 74.

As mentioned previously, a highly atomized fuel exits through thecentral aperture in the cap 68 to the combustor tube. In the process, itpasses the electrodes of the igniter 66 which applies a spark toinitiate combustion. Due to the perforations in tube 72, the tube 73 isexposed to heat of combustion and is heated thereby. The air which movesabout the tube 73, in turn, draws heat therefrom in passing. Thus, bythe time the air from the fan 18 reaches the end of the tube 73, itstemperat-ure is highly elevated. At this point a substantial portion ofthe so-heated air is inherently induced by back pressure to reverse itsflow and enter the space between the tube 73 and the combustor tube 72.Referring to FIG. 1, this process, in the embodiment shown, is assistedby the deflector capacity of the spreader portion 76. However,irrespective of this, there is an inherent back pressure on the air flowwhich per se is capable of inducing a portion of the preheated air toflow between the tubes 73 and 72 and swirl into the combustor tubethrough its perforations. Thus, preheated air is caused to continuouslyflow about the projected end of the tube 73 and, in part, back in andabout the combustor tube to enter the combustor tube in a relativelyturbulent condition. This condition causes a thorough mixture of thepreheated air and the highly atomized fuel with exists in the cornbustortube. The temperature of the preheated air is such that on contacttherewith the atomized fuel is im- 6 mediately and fully vaporized. Itis a consequence of this system, wherein fuel is super-atomized and thenvaporized, that on ignition of the fuel as it issues from the the nozzlea non-luminous b'urnin'g occurs in the vicinity of the igniter means anda luminous burning first appears adjacent the outer end of the combustortube.

It will be seen that a substantial portion of the preheated air whichreaches the spreader 75 flows through the apertures in the flamespreader. Due to the spreader contour, the visible flame whichresultsfrom the burning of the fuel will pass along the surface of the spreaderand be caused to assume the form of a small ball which is cupped by thespreader. The flame produced by the invention embodiment in this manneris both quiet and safe. Its nature is such that for what is believed tobe the first time anoi-l burner as provided by the invention may beutilized in place of a conventional high pressure burner unit. v V v Itwill be seen from the above that due to the application of the preheatedair the fuel is in effect reduced to a condition enabling a completecombustion. This means that every ounce of fuel is utilized in a highlyeffective manner. This also means that there is no remnant of fuel toproduce noxious fumes.

A further feature of the invention is evidenced by the flow regulatorsin the fuel supply line. Their simple inclusion produces a conditionthat fuel will flow to the burner head only on demand. In absence ofdemand as evidenced by high velocity flowv of air to the nozzle 61,there is a complete and immediate interruption of the system. Thus, thelikelihood of afterflow is substantially eliminated. It is alsoa featureof the flow regulating system as applied to an oil burner unit that itenables a completely. integrated unit which is not only more effectivein use but extremely compact in character and low in cost. It is to be'noted that the utilization of series related regulators insures that ifoneof the control arms 57 is inadvertently lodged in an open position,the other one will nevertheless act as a safety to prevent fuel flowexcept on proper demand.

Accordingly, the present invention provides improvements in oil burnerunits rendering them more efficient and satisfactory in use and moreversatile in application.

As a matter of fact, the efficiency and safety of the described burnerunit is particularly evidenced by, the modifications which may occur asseen in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings. I

Noting FIG. 7 of the drawings, in this embodiment the burner unit abovedescribed is relieved of the flame spreader 75 and, in lieu thereof, theend of housing 74 is fitted with a conically formed cap 82. The apex ofthe cap 82 which is relatively projected has a central, aperture definedby a relatively projected sleeve 83. The sleeve 83 fixedly contains oneend of a gun-like tube 84. Tube 84 orients coaxial with a combuster tube72 and is capped at its projected extremity by a plate 85. Included inthe upper surface portion of the tube 84, as shown in FIG. 7 of thedrawings, are a series of longitudinally and arcuately spaced apertures86. j

The burner unit so modified functions in a manner as described above. Itshould be noted that even in absence of the flame spreader, thepreheated air which flows to exit between the projected extremities ofthe tube 73 and the housing 74 will inherently be induced in part toreverse its flow to move inwardly between the tube 73 and the combustertube and enter the combuster tube to function as previously described.The remainder of the preheated air continues in a pattern of flowcreated by the form of a cap 82 to entrain the visible flame whichoccurs in the outer end of the combustor tube and project it the lengthof the tube 84. The exposure of the flame as provided by the apertures86 in the upper surface portion of the tube 84 enables the applicationof the burner unit so modified in lieu of a conventional high pressureburner unit. On placing the perforated portion of the tube 84immediately under the unit to be heated, the burner unit described maybe employed with complete safety and without the need for adding aninsulated combustion chamber thereabout. Safety is inherent in themanner in which the flame is produced and the character of the flame. Acomplete vaporization of the fuel particles avoids any problem inreference to noxious odors and fumes.

It is to be particularly noted with reference to any one of theembodiments of the invention illustrated that the production of thepreheated air in the manner described which serves to vaporize fuelparticles in the combustor tube has the further advantage in that theremainder of this air is effectively employed to control the issuingflame and adds an element thereto which results in the burning of thefuel to occur in a slower and quieter fashion.

It is inherent also in the practice of this invention that the physicalcharacteristics of the described structure and its function is such thatin the process of producing a non-luminous burning of the fuel adjacentthe igniter means, the igniter means are kept clean, more effective inuse and longer in operation.

FIG. 8 of the drawings illustrates an addition to the burner unit ofFIG. 1 which renders the burner unit highly advantageous in applicationto a water heater. As in the embodiment of FIG. 7, in this instance theflame spreader is removed from the embodiment of FIG. 1 and, in lieuthereof, the apparatus of FIG. 8 is applied. The accessory of FIG. 8includes at one end thereof a conical cap 87 which fits about and overthe housing tube 74 to have its apex project in a sense coaxial with thecombustor tube 72. At its apex, the cap 87 has an aperture defined by arelatively projected cylindrically formed sleeve 88. Fixedly containedin the sleeve 88 is one end of a tube 89 having a right-angled section90 at its outer extremity. A bolt 91 is fixed to the tube 89 to extendcentrally and coaxially of the tube section 90. The bolt 91 relativelyprojects from the tube section 90 and has a flame spreader 92 at itsouter extremity. The flame spreader 92 is in the shape of an invertedcone and is relatively spaced to form a cylindrical passage between itsouter surface and the projected end of the tube section 90. On operationof the burner unit with this modification of the invention, the portionof the preheated air which passes the tube 73 which does not reverse itsflow and enter the combustor tube moves outwardly of the tube 88 tocarry therewith in a quiet flowing fashion the flame produced intheouter end of the combustor tube. The air flow is such to lead thisflame togently project between the tube section 90 and the flamespreader 92. In this instance also the flame burns in a quiet gentlefashion, assisted in the process by the secondary heated air whichissues from between the tube 73 and the housing 74.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is evidenced in the modificationof FIGS. 9 and l-of the drawings. In this instance the burner unit isidentical with that of FIG. 1 except for certain changes.

The cap 68 is replaced by a cap 68'. The latter while including a skirtportion which similarly positions about and interconnects with theburner head 28 has a bridging plate portion 97 somewhat different inform from that of the plate portion 69 As in the case of the plate 69,the plate portion 97 has circularly spaced apertures 71' which orientabout and spaced outwardly of the burner head. However, immediatelyinward of its peripheral portion which includes the apertures 71', plate97 is dished outwardly from the burner head operating face 35. At itsinner periphery, the plate portion 97 is further projected in a conicalform, outwardly convergent about and in a sense coaxial with theillustrated nozzle 61. As in the first described embodiment, theconically convergent portion of plate 97 fixedly mounts a uniformlyapertured tubular extension providing a combustor tube 72'.

In this instance, the dished portion of the plate 97 forms a cylindricalbase mounting one end of the deflector tube 73 which thereby positionsconcentric with the combustor tube 72'. Tube 73' projects beyond thecombustor tube to a slight degree. A tubular housing 74' has one endfixed about the skirt portion of the cap 68' and projects concentric tothe tube 73'. The outermost end of housing 74' which extends beyond thetube 73' mounts a cap 98.

The cap 98 is cup-shaped and has a centrally apertured base opposed toand in line with the discharge end of the combustor tube. Its outerperipheral cup portion faces inwardly of the housing 74 in the directpath of air which may flow through apertures 71' and outwardly of theburner unit between the tubes 73 and 74'.

Thus, here also, in this preferred embodiment of the invention, thespreader 76 is eliminated.

In use of this embodiment of the invention, the burner unit will producean atomized fuel spray which is further atomized as previously describedwith reference to the embodiment of FIG. 1. Also, the operation of fan18 will similarly function with the burner head and plate portion 97 toprovide air for the further atomizing of the fuel and additional airwhich flows through apertures 71 to move outwardly between the housing74' and the shield 73'. However, in this instance air which is preheatedin flow past the shield 73' in a manner as previously described, willimpinge on the cup portion of the cap 98. This cup portion of the cap 98introduces a measure of back pressure on the flow of preheated air andadds a directional increment to the air flow which causes a portion ofthe heated air to reverse its flow and pass inwardly within the confinesof the tube 73' to enter the combustor tube through its perforations.This preheated air enters the combustor tube in a relatively turbulentcondition to intermingle with the atomized fuel and, on contacttherewith, produce an instant vaporization of such fuel.

This embodiment of the invention also functions to produce a doubleatomizing of the fuel and, subsequent thereto, a vaporizing of thisatomized fuel in a manner and under conditions that the first visibleburning of the fuel occurs in the outermost end of the combustor tube.The flame which is produced in the combustor tube in this instance isinfluenced by a portion of the preheated air which has its flow modifiedby the cup portion of the cap 98 to extend outwardly through the centralaperture 99 in the cap base in a smooth rounded contour and to burnunder the influence of the heated air which extends the flame in a quietand relatively safe fashion. Thus, the combustion is complete, safe andeflicient.

An inherent advantage of the preferred embodiment of the invention isthe extreme simplicity of its fabrication and the efficiency of itsfunction and operation.

From the preceding one may observe that by means of the presentinvention, there is produced a unique oil burner unit which so transmitsthe oil and so vaporizes the oil to enable it to burn and to handle likea low pressure gas. Thus, the invention has enabled a highly effectiveunit which may be safely applied to many applications not heretoforecontemplated.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect,and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An oil burner unit consisting of a burner head and, connectedintegral therewith, a compressor and a drive motor in end to endrelation, means defining a nozzle recess in said head and, in connectiontherewith, a fuel passage, a low pressure aspirating nozzle having aportion anchored in said head to form a flow passage thereabout in saidnozzle recess and have one end thereof communicate with said fuelpassage, means defining a further passage in said head communicatingsaid compressor with said flow passage whereby on drive of said motor,air will flow'under pressure to swirl in said recess about said nozzle,said nozzle having aspirating passages which open at one end to receivethe swirling air and deliver it at a high velocity to the interior ofsaid nozzle whereby to suck fuel from said fuel passage to exittherewith from said nozzle and flow regulator means interposed tonormally block the flow of fuel through said fuel passage, saidregulator means having two chambers and a diaphragm forming a walltherebetween, one of said chambers having an inlet and an outletinterposed in respect to said fuel passage, the other said chambershaving a vent and means included in said one chamber operative to blockthe flow of fuel through said fuel passage except on the occurrence of ahigh velocity flow of air to and through said nozzle.

2. An oil burner unit as in claim 1 characterized by said head havingmeans in connection therewith for igniting the fuel on discharge fromsaid nozzle, means defining a combustor tube for channelling the ignitedfuel from said nozzle and means for delivering heated air to theinterior of said combustor tube to effect a vaporization of the fuelparticles therein -on contact.

3. An oil burner unit including a motor having a drive shaft, a fanfixed at one end of said drive shaft, a compressor rotor fixed at theother end of said drive shaft, means fixed to said motor defining ahousing for said rotor at said other end of said drive shaft, said rotorbeing eccentrically positioned in its housing, said rotor housing havingan air inlet and, in a wall portion thereof remote from said motor, anair outlet, 2. burner head fixed to said rotor housing having an airsupply recess and an aspirating nozzle fixed in said recess to form anair passage thereabout, a fuel supply line connected to said burner headto provide for direct flow of fuel to and through said nozzle, meansdefining a flow passage through said burner head one end of whichcommunicates with said air outlet, the other with said recess,aspirating passages formed in said nozzle for inducing high velocityinflow of air driven from said rotor through said outlet to the recessabout said nozzle to induce fuel to flow and be atomized thereby ondischarge from said nozzle and diaphragm controlled regulator meansinterposed to block the flow of fuel to said nozzle except on demandprovided by a high velocity inflow of air through said aspiratingpassages.

4. The oil burner unit as set forth in claim3 characterized by saidregulator means consisting of two diaphragm operated valve meansarranged in series relation and operative to successively respond toapplication of a predetermined suction induced by the high velocityinflow of air to said nozzle.

5. An oil burner unit comprising, a motor, a compressor fixed to form anextension of said motor, a burner head in connection with and forming anaxial extension of said compressor, a low pressure aspirating nozzlefixed in and arranged to discharge from the end of said burner headremote from said compressor, means for connecting a supply of fuel tosaid nozzle, said nozzle having in connection therewith means defining apassage for the delivery thereto of a high velocity flow of air fromsaid compressor to aspirate fuel from said supply and deliver said fuelfrom said nozzle in a highly atomized condition, said means connectingthe supply of fuel to said nozzle incorporating therein a controlregulator normally operative to prevent a flow of fuel to said nozzle,said regulator comprising a housing having fixed interiorly thereof adiaphragm defining two chambers, one of which is exposed to theatmosphere, means defining an inlet and an outlet in the other chamberpositioned in the line of flow from said supply to said nozzle and meansnormally sealing said inlet and operative to block the flow of fueltherethrough to said nozzle except on the occurrence of a high velocityflow of air to and through said nozzle.

6. A low pressure oil burning unit including a discharge nozzle to whichair and fuel lines extend, a burner head mounting said nozzle and havingperipheral inlets for secondary air to combine with the mixturedischarging from said nozzle, means for flowing secondary air over saidburner head, a combustor tube mounted to project from said burner headto receive through one end thereof the discharge from said nozzle andsecondary air admitted through said peripheral inlets, a deflector tubemounted at one end to project from said burner head in surroundingspaced relation to said combustor tube and projecting substantiallycoextensively therewith, a housing having a portion surrounding saidtubes and defining with said deflector tube a passage communicating atits outer end with the space between said tubes, said combustor tubehaving openings to communicate the interior thereof with said space,means to admit said secondary air to said passage at the opposite endthereof, said means including aperture means small in size for inflow ofair into said passage in high velocity jet form, said housing furtherincluding a cap in surrounding relation to said burner head andreceiving said secondary air, said cap peripherally interengaging withsaid housing portion and having an open central portion interengagingwith said one end of said combustor tube, said aperture means beingformed in said cap intermediate said central portion and the peripherythereof.

7. A low pressure oil burning unit including a discharge nozzle to whichair and fuel lines extend, a burner head mounting said nozzle and havingperipheral inlets for secondary air to combine with the mixturedischarging from said nozzle, means for flowing secondary air over saidburner head, a combustor tube mounted to project from said burner headto receive through one end thereof the discharge from said nozzle andsecondary air admitted through said peripheral inlets, a deflector tubemounted at one end to project from said burner head in surroundingspaced relation to said combustor tube and projecting substantiallycoextensively therewith, a housing having a portion surrounding saidtubes and defining with said deflector tube a passage communicating atits outer end with the space between said tubes, said combustor tubehaving openings to communicate the interior thereof with said space,means to admit said secondary air to said passage at the opposite endthereof, said means including aperture means small in size for inflow ofair into said passage in high velocity jet form and an annular flamespreader installed in bridging relation to the outer end of said passageand of said space between said tubes, said spreader bridging saidhousing portion and the outer end of said combustor tube, said housingportion projecting beyond the said outer end of said combustor tubewhereby said spreader has the configuration of a section of an invertedcone to contain the combustion flame thereon in a ball form, saidspreader being apertured for an air fiow therethrough to support thecombustion flame.

8. A low pressure oil burning unit including an aspirating dischargenozzle to which air and fuel lines extend, a burner head mounting saidnozzle, means for flowing secondary air over said burner head, acombustor tube mounted to project from said burner head to receivethrough one end thereof the discharge from said nozzle,

means to ignite the discharge, a deflector tube mounted at one end toproject from said burner head in a surrounding spaced relation to saidcombustor tube and projecting substantially coextensive therewith, ahousing having a mounting at one end thereof to said burner head andextending to have a portion surround said tubes and define with saiddeflector tube a passage which communicates at its outer end with thespace between said tubes, said combustor tube having openings tocommunicate the interior thereof with said space, means to admit saidsecondary air to said passage at the end thereof adjacent said burnerhead, said means including apertures small in size for inflow to saidpassage of air in a high velocity jet form and a cap means on the end ofsaid housing remote from said head, said cap means being formed andarranged to overlie the outer end of said passage and the space betweensaid tubes, in a spaced relation to said deflector tube, to producethereby a back pressure on the secondary air, said cap means havingaligned with said combustor tube, at its outer end, a

central opening of lesser cross-sectional area than theadjaccnt end ofsaid combustor tube.

9. A low pressure oil burning unit as in claim 8 characterized by agun-like tube of limited cross-sectional area fixed to extend coaxiallyfrom and to define the central opening in said cap means, said gun-liketube including a plurality of apertures, said secondary air being causedto flow as described and to provide an extension of a flame occurringwithin said housing substantially the length of said gun-like tube, theapertures of which provide for a lateral projection of direct heat.

10. A low pressure oil burning unit as in claim 8 characterized by saidcap means having a projecting portion of conical form the apex of whichincludes said central opening, said cap means, so formed, providing fora contoured cross-sectional reduction of the flame occurring in theouter end of said housing, and further tube means forming a channel forextension of the flame from said housing, said further tube meansconnecting at one end thereof to define said central opening in said capmeans.

11. A low pressure oil burning unit as in claim 10 wherein said furthertube means includes means defining an opening relatively lateral to theaxis of said central opening and means mounting in an overlying spacedrelation to said lateral opening to provide for a lateral projection andspreading of the extended flame.

12. A low pressure oil burning unit as in claim 8 characterized by theair and secondary air being. so provided to produce a first luminousburning of fuel adjacent the outer end of said combustor tube and saidcap means being so formed to provide a reduced contoured passage for theflame so occurring to exit from said housing in an extended elongatedform under the influence of a portion of said secondary air.

13. A low pressure oil burning unit including a burner head havingintegrated therewith a motor and a compressor, said compressor beingsandwiched between said motor and said head, a low pressure aspiratingnozzle opening from said head, a source of fuel supply in connectionwith said head and in communication with said nozzle, means defining aflow path for air from said compressor to move to and through saidnozzle in a high velocity flow to suck fuel from said source to mingletherewith and be atomized thereby on discharge from said nozzle, 'acombustor tube receiving the discharge from said nozzle, a deflectortube mounted at one end to project from said burner head in asurrounding spaced relation to said combustor tube and substantiallycoextensive therewith, a housing connected at one end to said burnerhead and having a portion projecting to surround said tubes and definewith said deflector tube a passage which communicates at its outer endwith a space between said tubes, said combustor tube having openings tocommunicate the interior thereof with said space, means for deliveringsecondary air to said passage at the end thereof adjacent said burnerhead, said last mentioned means including apertures small in size forthe inflow of air to said passage in a high velocity jet form, means forigniting the discharge from said nozzle to burn in a non-luminouscondition as it enters and moves through said combustor tube, and a capmeans onthe end of said housing remote from said head, said cap meansbeing formed and arranged to overlie the outer end of said passage andthe space between said tubes, in a spaced relation to said deflectortube, to produce thereby a back pressure on the secondary air andinfluence a first luminous burning of the ignited discharge from saidnozzle adjacent the outer end of said combustor tub-e, said cap meanshaving aligned with said combustor tube, at its outer end, a centralopening of lesser crosssectional area than the adjacent end of saidcombustor tube to channel and contour the flame issuing from saidhousing.

14. A low pressure oil burning unit comprising a burner head, a lowpressure aspirating nozzle mounted in and projected from said head, saidnozzle having fuel and aspirating passages, said head having meansdefining a fuel passage in connection with said nozzle fuel passage, acompressor in connection with said head for delivering a high velocityflow of air to and through said nozzle aspirating and fuel passages, asupply line in connection with said fuel passage incorporating there ina control regulator including a housing having an intermediatelypositioned diaphragm forming two chambers, one of which is vented to theatmosphere and the other of which has an inlet and an outlet positionedin the line of flow through said regulator and means normally sealingsaid inlet operative to block the flow of fuel through said otherchamber and its outlet and prevent its passage to said nozzle except onthe occurrence of a high velocity flow of air through the aspirating andfuel passages of said nozzle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 936,781 10/1909Kemp 158-36 1,450,229 4/ 1923 Robinson 158-73 2,134,083 10/1938 Guentheret al. 158422 X 2,369,746 2/1945 Miller 158-42.2 2,658,567 11/1953Witherell 158-76 2,705,530 4/1955 MacCracken 158-4 2,725,929 12/1955Massier 158-76 X 3,129,748 4/1964 Varvel 158'76 3,169,570 2/1965 Harg eta1. 1584 FOREIGN PATENTS 540,240 11/1953 Belgium.

FREDERICK L. MATTESON, JR., Primary Examiner, E. G. FAVORS, AssistantExaminer.

1. AN OIL BURNER UNIT CONSISTING OF A BURNER HEAD AND, CONNECTEDINTEGRAL THEREWITH, A COMPRESSOR AND A DRIVE MOTOR IN END TO ENDRELATION, MEANS DEFINING A NOZZLE RECESS IN SAID HEAD AND, IN CONNECTIONTHEREWITH, A FUEL PASSAGE, A LOW PRESSURE ASPIRATING NOZZLE HAVING APORTION ANCHORED IN SAID HEAD TO FORM A FLOW PASSAGE THEREABOUT IN SAIDNOZZLE RECESS AND HAVE ONE END THEREOF COMMUNICATE WITH SAID FUELPASSAGE, MEANS DEFINING A FURTHER PASSAGE IN SAID HEAD COMMUNICATINGSAID COMPRESSOR WITH SAID FLOW PASSAGE WHEREBY ON DRIVE OF SAID MOTOR,AIR WILL FLOW UNDER PRESSURE TO SWIRL IN SAID RECESS ABOUT SAID NOZZLE,SAID NOZZLE HAVING ASPIRATING PASSAGES WHICH OPEN AT ONE END TO RECEIVETHE SWIRLING AIR AND DELIVER IT AT A HIGH VELOCITY TO THE INTERIOR OFSAID NOZZLE WHEREBY TO SUCK FUEL FROM SAID FUEL PASSAGE TO EXITTHEREWITH FROM SAID NOZZLE AND FLOW REGULATOR MEANS INTERPOSED TONORMALLY BLOCK THE FLOW OF FUEL THROUGH SAID FUEL PASSAGE, SAIDREGULATOR MEANS HAVING TWO CHAMBERS AND A DIAPHRAGM FORMING A WALLTHEREBETWEEN, ONE OF SAID CHAMBERS HAVING AN INLET AND AN OUTLETINTERPOSED IN RESPECT TO SAID FUEL PASSAGE, THE OTHER SAID CHAMBERSHAVING A VENT AND MEANS INCLUDED IN SAID ONE CHAMBER OPERATIVE TO BLOCKTHE FLOW OF FUEL THROUGH SAID FUEL PASSAGE EXCEPT ON THE OCCURRENCE OF AHIGH VELOCITY FLOW OF AIR TO AND THROUGH SAID NOZZLE.